Tube stand locking device



Nov. 1, 1949. SCHNEEMAN 2,486,685

TUBE STAND LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1946 I l 4 a i I i 26- [a g 16 56 1 l 2 INVEN TOR. z/i/smv 6. SCHA/EEMAN,

ATTORNEY,

filisi. BY

Patented Nov. 1, 1949 TUBE STAND LOCKING DEVICE Justin G. Schneeman, Hollywood, Calif., assignor to X-Ray Products Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 25, 1946, Serial No. 657,051

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to adjustable supports and particularly to a tube stand locking device used in X-ray machines. More specifically the invention comprises adjustable mounting means for the tube head in an X-ray machine which permits of angular and transverse adjustments under the control of a single locking means.

Portable X-ray machines are provided with adjustable tube heads to make it possible to photograph objects of differing sizes and shapes. To obtain satisfactory images the tube head from which the rays emanate must be so supported that it can be adjusted into optimum position relative to these various articles and bodies. The mounting means should be of a type which permits of ready adjustment and also should have the additional characteristic that when placed in position the head will remain there until intentionally displaced. In the devices of the prior art, the tube head has usually been supported by means requiring a plurality of manual adjustments and locking means. According to the present invention the tube head is adjustably supported and is adapted to be locked in any set position by simplified means which are so constructed as to function with maximum effectiveness throughout the life of the device and regardless of wear which may take place in the parts.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved adjustable support of a type particularly adapted for X-ray tube heads. It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable locking device for an X-ray tube support which is unaflected by wear in the relatively movable parts and in which a single locking means controls both angular and lateral adjustments.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adjustable support constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section upon the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section upon Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section through the clamping means upon the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the adjustable clamp supporting plate.

In the drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and is seen to comthe line 33 of prise a cylindrical body or sleeve ll mounted for vertical displacement upon a post I2 from which it is concentrically spaced by means of a plurality of unshoWn rollers and on which it is adapted to be raised and lowered by means of pulleys l3 positioned in fixed bracket housings [4. Body II is provided with a centrally located cut out section I6, at the sides of which extend platforms I1 and i 8 lying flat in a plane which cuts across the cylinder.

A horizontal transverse tubular arm I9 is slidably and rotatably carried by body II by means of supports indicated generally by the reference character 2! which are positioned upon the platforms I! and I8. Reference to Figures 2 and 3 discloses that each of these supports comprises a pair of frusto-conical ball bearing rollers 22 rotatable upon a shaft 23 fixed in the adjacent platform. To form an enclosure around the tubular arm to eliminate all possibility of accidental displacement a second fixed pin 26 is provided opposite each pair of rollers 22 and upon the opposite side of the arm. These pins 26 do not contact the arm but instead cooperate with the roller axial pins 23 to support a closure plate 24 secured by nuts 21. The rollers 22 upon the supporting platform I! underlie the arm [9 while the rollers upon platform l8 are positioned thereabove. With a heavy object such as an X-ray tube head carried upon the right hand end of arm or shaft 19, it is clear that the arm would be held in equilibrium by the rollers 22 without the necessity of additional supports.

It is desirable at times, as indicated, to lock the arm IS in an adjusted position. The tube head, let us assume, has been moved into proper position relative to the object to be photographed and has been set at the proper angle by twisting the arm l9. To secure the head locking means indicated generally by the reference character 3| are provided and are seen to comprise an integral clamp 32 carried by a vertically adjustable supporting plate 33 secured to platform l1. Plate 33 is formed with spaced vertical slots 34 slidingly enclosing headed screws 36 secured in the platform, the relationship being such that plate 33 is permitted a limited range of vertical movement. A pair of studs 31 project horizontally from plate 33 and extend slidably within bosses 38 formed integrally on the upper and lower sides of clamp 32 to support that important element forlimited horizontal movement. Clamp 32 surrounds tube l9 and is divided at its lower side, the portions or arms being connected and drawn together by the threaded inner end of shaft 39 movement of the clamp while the sliding move- 1 ment of the bosses 38 upon their supporting pins 31 makes possible the lateral or horizontal ad-- justment. This relationsship is of importance for continued use results inevitably in changes in the supporting rollers 22" and their positions through wear and other causes. These changes effect a corresponding shifting of the tube. [9. Were the clamp 32 .to be mounted fixedly upon the platform H its operating characteristics, such as ability to release completely and its ability to-tighten readily, would inevitably change with such Wear. The clamp 32, however, is adapted to accommodate this change in tube position and inherently provides a construction in which the locking means functions with the same ease and accuracy within a relatively wide range oftube positions.

It is also to be noted that a single locking means 3| firmly clampsthe supporting tube l9 against. both rotary or twisting movement, and

against longitudinal sliding movement, making it possible for the operator to use one hand to adjust the tube-head at the end of arm 59 while the other hand remains free to lock the tube in place when the proper position has been found.

The operation of the adjustable. mounting means constructed in accordance with the present invention is as follows: An X-ray tube head 4 or object of appreciable weight is assumed at the riglitthand end of the tube [9 and additionally it is assumed that the vertical post 12 is fixedly supported- The operator raises or lowers the:

cylindrical body H upon tube l2 until the arm lilha's reached the proper vertical height. Thereafter the arm or tube i9 is advanced to the right or; to the left, the arm traveling upon the supporting-rollers 22 upon its under and upper sides. When. the arm has reached the properhorizontal position, the, tube head at the end thereof" is angularly adjusted by rotating the arm I 9' and, at the.v proper relationship, the lock wheel 4! is rotated, bringing together the two sides of the clamp 32. and. locking arm is against further movement.

While the particular device herein shown and described in detail is fully capalble of attaining the. objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of my invention, and that I do not mean to. limit myself to the details of construction'. or design herein shown, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable support comprising a vertically adjustable carriage, an elongated tubular arm, spaced rollers rotatably mounted on said carriage positioned above and below said arm to support same for longitudinal movement and for rotation, a clamp to secure said arm against longitudinal movement and against rotation, a vertically slotted pl'ate, pins guiding said plate for vertical displacement relative to said rollers, and means mounting said clamp for horizontal displacement on said plate lateral of the axis of said arm, said mounting means comprising horizontal pins on said plate and horizontal seats 1 therefor in said: clamp.

2. An adjustable support for X-ray tube heads and the. likev comprising a vertically adjustable sleeve, vertically and horizontally spaced pairs of rollers mounted externally on said sleeve, a transversely extending tubular arm extended between said pairs of rollers and contacted on its upper" and lower sides thereby, said arm being;

adapted to carry a tubehead on; its end adjacentthe underlying pair of rollers, a support plate; mounted on said sleeve for vertical transverse movementrelative'tosaid arm, a clamp enclosing;

said arm and mounted on said plate for horizontal.

each pair, a support plate formediwith vertical.

slots, means insaid slots positioning said plate to said sleeve for limited vertical adjustment relative to said rollers, a split clamp encLOSingsai'dL tubular arm, spaced horizontal pins carried: by said support plate slidingly positioned in said clamp to mount same for horizontal displacement, and means to tighten said clamp on said tubular arm toprevent rotation and longitudinal.

sliding movement.

JUSTIN G. SCHNEEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,222,915 Anderson Apr. 17, 1917' 1,530,063 Tichy' M Mar. 17, 1925 2,001,004 Wantz May 14, 1935 2,366,950 Wright Jan. 9, 1945 2,408,247 Wekeman Sept. 24,1946 

